Online Reporter
The Government’s commitment to improving the ease of doing business has never been in doubt.
Over the past few months, authorities have introduced a range of reforms aimed at reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, attracting investment and stimulating production across key sectors of the economy.
One of the most significant interventions announced last year was the review of levies, licences, fees and permits in the livestock, dairy and stockfeed industries. The reforms, unveiled in September, were intended to lower the cost of compliance, encourage growth and improve the competitiveness of local producers.
The measures were widely welcomed by stakeholders. Indeed, a total of 96 regulatory fees were earmarked for abolition or substantial reduction, a move that promised meaningful relief to businesses operating in sectors that are critical to national food security, employment creation and export growth.
However, more than eight months after the announcement, the bulk of the reforms remain unimplemented.
We report elsewhere today that stakeholders in the livestock industry are growing increasingly concerned about the delay. While the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has taken commendable steps through Statutory
Instrument 41 of 2026, which abolished or reduced some fees affecting the sector, many of the promised reforms are yet to be gazetted by other ministries.
This is unfortunate.
When reforms are announced, businesses adjust their expectations and plans accordingly. Farmers, processors, investors and financiers make decisions based on the policy direction communicated by Government. Delays in implementation can therefore engender a so-near-yet-so-far feeling, which can be challenging for business.
What is encouraging, however, is that there appears to be no disagreement over the principle behind the reforms. All stakeholders recognise the need to reduce the regulatory burden on productive sectors of the economy. President
Mnangagwa himself directed at the beginning of the year that the review of licences, permits, levies and fees be completed during the first quarter to enhance the business environment, attract investment and improve service delivery.
The objective remains sound today just as it was eight months ago.
The livestock sector occupies a strategic place in the economy. It supports thousands of households, contributes to national nutrition, provides raw materials for industry and generates export earnings. At a time when the country is seeking to increase agricultural productivity and accelerate rural industrialisation, every effort must be made to lower unnecessary costs and improve operating conditions for producers.
We therefore urge the relevant ministries and agencies to expedite the legal processes that remain outstanding. The Attorney-General’s Office and all concerned institutions must work together to ensure that the reforms approved by Cabinet are implemented without further delay.
The credibility of any reform programme lies not only in the quality of its ideas but also in the speed and consistency of its execution. By finalising these measures, Government will be giving practical effect to its ease-of-doing-business agenda and strengthening confidence among investors and producers alike.
By speaking out as constructively as they do today, the livestock sector is doing exactly what the retail sector did in late 2024, which moved the Government to, early last year, not only ease retailers’ compliance burden but to also widen it to other industries across the economy.
derick.khumalo